Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Another limited showing
Rotowire
Demercado (ankle) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.
Demercado has been listed as limited on four of the Cardinals' last five injury reports as he continues his recovery from the high-ankle sprain that has sidelined him the last three games. In the end, Friday's practice report will reveal if Demercado has a chance to rejoin Arizona's backfield Sunday at Houston, but for the time being, Bam Knight and Michael Carter are in line to continue sharing the load this weekend.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Limited again Wednesday
Rotowire
Demercado (ankle) practiced on a limited basis Wednesday, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
Demercado has missed the past three games due to a high-ankle sprain and hasn't yet progressed enough in his recovery to log a full practice. He'll have two more opportunities to do so the week before the Cardinals potentially make a ruling on his status for Sunday's contest at Houston. Coach Jonathan Gannon announced earlier Wednesday that Trey Benson (knee) won't be activated from injured reserve, meaning his season is over. If Demercado puts himself in a position to return to action this weekend, he'd join Bam Knight and Michael Carter as options out of Arizona's backfield.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Ruled out after Friday DNP
Rotowire
Demercado (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Rams, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
After missing the past two games, Demercado returned to practice Wednesday and Thursday as a limited participant. He was then held out Friday and ruled out on the injury report, leaving Bam Knight and Michael Carter in charge of Arizona's backfield for another week. There is still a decent chance for Demercado to contribute later in December, especially after Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said Friday that Trey Benson (knee) may not return this season.
Demercado (ankle) was a limited practice participant Thursday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
Demercado now has cobbled together back-to-back capped session to begin Week 14 prep as he attempts to put the high-ankle sprain that sidelined him the last two games in the rearview mirror. Fellow RB Trey Benson (knee), who remains on injured reserve, has yet to practice this week and has only six days remaining in which to be activated. The Cardinals may make rulings on both players' statuses on Friday's injury report, but if one receives a designation, it seems more likely to be Demercado at this point. If Demercado is able to rejoin the backfield mix Sunday versus the Rams, he'll be an option along with Bam Knight and Michael Carter.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Won't play Sunday
Rotowire
Demercado (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game in Tampa Bay, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.
Demercado has yet to practice since sustaining a high-ankle sprain Week 11, but he was spotted working on the side with the rehab group at Friday's session, per Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic. Demercado's next chance for game action is Sunday, Dec. 7 against the Rams, but at least for Week 13, Bam Knight (knee, questionable) and Michael Carter are the likely candidates for reps in the Cardinals backfield with Trey Benson (knee, IR) also ruled out.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Doesn't practice Thursday
Rotowire
Demercado (ankle) was absent from Thursday's practice, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
Since suffering a high-ankle sprain Week 11, Demercado hasn't been able to mix into any drills, and the Cardinals ultimately may make a decision on his status on Friday's injury report. Trey Benson (knee), who currently is on injured reserve, also didn't practice Thursday for the first time since he was designated to return last week, leaving Bam Knight (knee) and Michael Carter as Arizona's top two healthiest RBs at the moment.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: No practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Demercado (ankle) didn't take part in Wednesday's practice, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Demercado has yet to mix into any drills since he sustained a high-ankle sprain Week 11 against the 49ers. Meanwhile, both Trey Benson (knee) and Bam Knight (knee) were limited participants to begin Week 13 prep. Arizona will need to activate Benson from injured reserve in order for him to have a chance to play Sunday in Tampa Bay, but at this stage he appears to have better odds than Demercado to suit up this weekend.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Not spotted at practice
Rotowire
Demercado (ankle) is not participating in the early portion of Wednesday's practice open to the media, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.
Demercado didn't practice in any capacity prior to being ruled out for Week 12. He's recovering from a high-ankle sprain suffered Week 11 during Arizona's loss to the 49ers, so it wouldn't be surprising if Demercado remains on the sideline Thursday and/or Friday as well. Trey Benson (knee) had his 21-day practice window opened Week 12 and could be a candidate to action in time for Sunday's road matchup against the Buccaneers, and the Cardinals still have Bam Knight and Michael Carter on hand to contribute out of the backfield.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Likely out with high-ankle sprain
Rotowire
Demercado sustained a high-ankle sprain in Sunday's 41-22 loss to the 49ers and is unlikely to be available for the Cardinals' Week 12 game against the Jaguars, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Demercado gained eight rushing yards on five carries and added two receptions for 12 yards on three targets before he departed in the second quarter. Given that high-ankle sprains often entail multi-week recoveries, Demercado will be at risk of missing time beyond the Cardinals' upcoming matchup with the Jaguars. Bam Knight (five carries for 24 yards, four catches for 21 yards in Week 11) and Michael Carter (two carries for six yards, five catches for 22 yards) should be in line for expanded profiles out of the backfield in Week 12, unless Trey Benson (knee) makes an unexpected return from injured reserve.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Sleeper RBs
Rotowire
Demercado could be the lead running back for the Cardinals in Week 11 against San Francisco with Trey Benson (knee) still on injured reserve, as well as Zonovan Knight (ankle) banged up. Michael Carter will also be a factor for the Cardinals, but Demercado has more upside heading into this game. He had 14 carries for 79 yards and one catch for minus-1 yard in Week 9 at Dallas, and then he had four carries for 64 yards and three catches for 40 yards on four targets in Week 10 at Seattle. The 49ers have allowed six running backs to score at least 15.1 PPR points in their past seven games, and I like Demercado as a flex option in this matchup.
As of Tuesday morning Trey Benson is still on injured reserve and Zonovan Knight is dealing with a knee injury. That leaves Demercado and Michael Carter as the Cardinals top two running backs. For the season Demercado is averaging nine yards per rush and has a 46% success rate. Carter is averaging 2.7 yards per carry and has a 39% success rate. I am ranking Demercado as a low-end RB2 if Benson and Knight are both out.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Goes for over 100 total yards
Rotowire
Demercado took four carries for 64 yards while catching three of four targets for 40 yards in Sunday's 44-22 loss to Seattle.
Bam Knight (ankle) started Sunday's contest and led Arizona's backfield with 10 carries before exiting late due to injury. Demercado was already having the more productive day, although over half of his 100-plus yards from scrimmage came in garbage time. The TCU product could be in line to start against the 49ers next Sunday if Knight's injury proves to be serious. Demercado will also have to contend with the potential return of Trey Benson (knee) from injured reserve, but the former is currently the healthiest option out of Arizona's backfield heading into Week 11.
If Trey Benson returns then I am not sure Demercado matters. But if Benson is out, Demercado is likely the best Cardinals running back in Week 10. They are going with the hot hand approach and he had the much hotter hand in Week 9, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. His career rushing average is even higher than that and if not for the foolish goal line fumble, he may have taken this backfield over sooner. Even if Benson is out I don't like him as more than a flex against Seattle.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Stars in return from injury
Rotowire
Demercado (ankle) took 14 carries for 79 yards and lost one yard on his only reception in Monday's 27-17 win over Dallas.
Demercado used the Cardinals' bye week to fully recover from an ankle injury that wound up costing him just one contest. The 26-year-old jumped right into a prominent role, leading the backfield in production even though Bam Knight drew the start. Knight still saw plenty of involvement with 47 yards gained on 11 combined touches, but Demercado came out of the contest looking like the superior fantasy option. Trey Benson (knee) is eligible to be activated from injured reserve against the Seahawks in Week 10, but it's currently unclear if he'll be physically ready to play right away. Benson's eventual return should push Demercado back into a change-of-pace role, but the latter likely will maintain fantasy value until that happens.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Good to go Week 9
Rotowire
Demercado (ankle) does not carry an injury designation into Monday's game against the Cowboys.
Demercado was limited by an ankle issue in the first two practices of the week but he will avoid an injury tag for Week 9 after logging a full practice Saturday. Per Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site on Saturday, head coach Jonathan Gannon said that Bam Knight will be the first running back to handle carries Monday but reiterated that he'll lean more heavily on whoever out of Knight, Demercado or Michael Carter is most effective as the game progresses.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Another limited session
Rotowire
Demercado (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Friday, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
Demercado has cobbled together back-to-back capped sessions to begin the week as he seeks his first game action since he suffered a left ankle injury Week 6 in Indianapolis. He'll have one more chance to practice in full Saturday, or else risk heading into Monday's contest at Dallas with a designation. If Demercado is able to return to action Week 9, he'll be in the mix for touches behind the backfield tandem of Bam Knight and practice-squad member Michael Carter.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Limited in return to practice
Rotowire
Demercado (ankle) was a limited practice participant Thursday.
Demercado thus logged his first on-field work since he injured his left ankle Week 6 at Indianapolis. He proceeded to sit out Week 7 against the Packers, but a Week 8 bye seemingly has afforded him enough recovery time to put himself in a position to play again. With James Conner (foot) out for the season and Trey Benson (knee) still on injured reserve for a few more weeks, the Cardinals are set to roll with Bam Knight as their primary runner, but who between Demercado and practice-squad members Michael Carter and Jermar Jefferson is the No. 2 on Monday in Dallas remains to be seen.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: No practice Wednesday
Rotowire
Demercado (ankle) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice, Zach Gershman of the Cardinals' official site reports.
Demercado didn't return to this Sunday's defeat at Indianapolis after favoring his left ankle while going to the locker room in the second quarter. In the end, Michael Carter (11 touches for 64 yards and no touchdowns on a 44 percent snap share) and Bam Knight (12-54-1 on 51 percent) split the backfield almost evenly Week 6. However, Knight was limited Wednesday due to a knee issue, leaving Carter as the sole healthy running back on Arizona's active roster.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Hurts ankle Sunday
Rotowire
Demercado suffered an ankle injury during Sunday's game in Indianapolis.
Demercado went to the locker room with a slight limp while favoring his left ankle in the second quarter. He's part of a backfield committee for the Cardinals along with Michael Carter and Bam Knight with James Conner (foot) and Trey Benson (knee) on injured reserve. Demercado had one carry for one yard and didn't haul in his only target prior to his exit.
... See More... See Less
Cardinals' Emari Demercado: Won't be punished for fumble
Rotowire
Demercado has been the second running back in Arizona's rotation in practice, and head coach Jonathan Gannon said Demercado won't face additional punishment for his costly fumble in this past Sunday's loss to the Titans, Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic reports.
Demercado appears set to reprise his change-of-pace role behind Michael Carter against the Colts on Sunday, which resulted in only thee touches for Demercado against Tennessee, one of which should have been a 72-yard touchdown run but instead resulted in a fumble at the goal line. Arizona could lean more on its backfield of Carter, Demercado and Bam Knight if starting quarterback Kyler Murray (foot) isn't available.
